Switch mechanism.



E. .G. K. ANDERSON.

SWITOH MECHANISM. APPLIOATIOI mum we. 10, 1909.

1,031,768, Patented July 9, 1912. I

Z SHEETS-fi-HBET 1.

' &

B. G. K. ANDERSON.

swrron MECHANISM.

APPLICATIOI IILED AUG. 10, 1909.

1,031,768. Patented July 9, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNST G. K. ANDERSON, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed August 10. 1909.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented July 9, i 912.

Serial No. 512,179.

To all 'lc mm it may comm-)1 Be it known that l. lInNsr (i. K. Aswan- SON, subject. of the King of Sweden, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cool: and State of .lllinois have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch illcchanisms, of which the following is a full, clear. concise, and exact description. reference being had to the aceompanyin a drawing, forn'iinp, a part. of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in switch mechanism for controlling electric circuits.

The principal object of the invention is to provide switch mechanism which is of simple and economical construction, although ctiicient and durable, and which both opens and closes the circuit with a snap action, this being usually regarded as desirable in devices for controlling circuits of such potential as is employed in electric lighting.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated my improved switch mechanism as applied first, to a pendant switch such as is employed in connection with cluster sockets and the like.

I have also shown my invention as applied to two slightly different forms of wall switch adapted to be operated, in the first of these two forms. by the throwing over of a lever. and in the second form by the manipulation of a pair of push buttons projecting from the under side of the casing of the device.

In these drawings, Figure 1 is a perspec tive view of the pendant switch device completc; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the cap which normally conceals the binding screws and the upper side of the, base which carries these binding. screws and. certain other parts, removed: Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of this device, the section being taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, the section being taken on the line 44'of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fi 5 is a perspective view of the movable switch blade of the device: Fig. 6 is an clcvational view of the metal blank from which the switch blade is formed: Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the. bladeopcrating member; Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the blank from which this member is formed; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the form of wall switch in which the switch bladeis actuated by moving a. lever; Fig. 10 is an elevatirmal view of the same with the cap or cover removed; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of that form of the device in 9 which the. switch blade is actuated by the manipulation of a pair of buttons or push rods projecting from the bottom of the cits ing; Fig. 12 is an elevational view of-tho same with the cover removed; Fig. 13 is a s5 perspective view of the stationary switch contacts which are bridged by the switch blade when the switch is closed; and Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the switch blade.

In the several figures of the drawings like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout.

Referring first to that form of the. invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, which illustrate the pendant switch, 15 is an insulating base formed of porcelain or other suitable material and inclosed in an acorn.- shaped casing shell 16 provided with a cap 17 which telescopes over the upper end of the shell 16 and is formed with a central opening provided with an insulat-in bushing 18 through which enter the lea wires 19. 19. The insulating base 15 is formed with an elongated rectangular recess 20 which extends up into the base from the 86 lower end thereof and contains the movable parts of the switch mechanism as well as the stationary switch contacts.

The switch blade 21 is formed of astrip of metal cut as shown in Fig. 6 and bent- 9G over upon itself on the dotted lines so as to form a rectangular expanded portion 22 which, when theparts are assembled, is arranged to be moved in between the stationary switch cont-acts and bridge the same.

This metallic strip has one of its ends perforated at 23 and its opposite end bifurcated to form two legs 2; with foot like portions 25 at their ends. \Vhen the strip is bent to the form shown in Fig. 5 the legs 24 ex tend down on each sideof the aperture 23 and are adapted to be sprung toward each other against their tendency to remain separated. A pin 26 extends through the. aperture 23 and forms a pivot on which turns A pair of nuts 29 and 30 screw upon the upper threaded end of the pin to hold the same in place. Pivoted on the pin 26 is a blade actuating member formed of sheet metal cut as shown in Fig. 8 and bentto the form shown in Fig. 7. This member, when formed TJdf' for insertion into the cham her of; the device, has a substantially rec tcngular body part 31 having an aperture through which the pin 25 extends, pair of upturned arms and a downwardly extending tongue 3 The tongue 34-, when the parts are assembled, carries secured thereon an insulating finger piece 35 which extends through a slot 36 formed in the bottom of the acorn-shaped casing shell 16. In operating the device to open and close the switch the finger piece is moved to one side or the other in the slot 36 and causes the blade 22 to move with a snap action from one end of the chamber 20 to the other, as explained hereinafter.

\Vhen the parts are assembled the feet 2-5 on-the switch blade member occupy a position between the arms '3 of the bladeopcrating member, the inner edges of which form slidcways for sliding engagei'nent with. the 253, and when the finger piece carried by the latter at one end or the other of the slot in which the same moves the feet are permitted to spread away from. each other. When, however, the member 35 is pushed toward the opposite end of the slot the feet are made to approach each other because the distance between the arms 33 on a line extending directly across these arms at right angles therewith is less than the dis tance normally existing between the feet. As soon, however, as the operating member reaches a. position at which the feet do not coincide in position with a line drawn at right angles with the arms 33 these feet are permitted to spread apart and, in effect,

slide down retreating inclined planes formed by the slideways on the inner edges of the arms. It will be seen that this motion will be accomplished quickly and immediately after the actuating member 35 has reached and passed slightly beyond such a position that the actuating member and the switch blade are in direct alinement with each other. The upper part 22 of the switch blade member, when the device is in the on position, passes in between two stationary contact members 37 and. 38, each of these members comprising a metallic L- shaped strip which extends upward through a suitable aperture in the base, the upper ends of these strips extending away from each other and being each clamped under a terminal plate 39. The plates 39 are held in position by means of screws 40 which extend up through the base, tile contact plates and the terminal plates Each terminal plate 3;? carries a, binding screw 41 to which are led the wires which are to be-brought into electrical, communicatimi with each other by the closing of the switch. hen the operating finger is thrown to 22 also passes to the right and mo vcs in between the contact plates 37 and 3S and, by bridging the same, makes electrical connection between the wires 1.9. hen the OPLY- ating finger is moved over to the opposite position, or to the left hand end of the slot. the switch blade member moves in the same direction and passes out from between the contact plate and breaks the circuit. In Figs. 9 and 10 this form of switch blade actuating means is shown as applied to a. wall switch. In this device a base 42- of insulating material is mounted upon a suitable back plate 43 and is provided with apertures- 14 through which enter the wires which lead to the binding screws 45 and 46. Each of these binding screws is carried by an L-shapcd plate, these plates being designated 47 and 43. T he plates 47 and 48 constitute the stationary contactpoints of the switch and are insulated from each other and rigidlysupported in position in the manner illustrated in Fig. 13. Mounted upon the base 4.2 is a strip of insulating material l9 upon which rests the L-shaped plate i8, this plate being held in place by a screw 50 an having its end 51 arranged to extend toward the movable switch blade and curved slightly outward to permit the same to pass in between it and the corre sponding end 53 of the other plate 47. This second L-shaped plate rests upon an insulating block 54 which lies upon the plate &8 and insulates, as wellas spacing, the plates from each other. A screw 55 secures the plate 47 in place.

The switch blade consists of a plate doubled upon itself and having one of its ends bifurcated to form a pair of legs 56, each of which is provided with a foot. 57. The switch blade is perforated at 58 for the passage'of a pin 59, which pin also extends through and forms a pivot for an actuating plate 60, formed with arms Gland 62 which embrace between them the feet 57 of the switch blade 'member as in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive. The actuating plate 60 has a tongue 63 which carries an insulating finger piece 64 arranged to project through a cut-out place 65 which fits upon the edge of the base 42 and conceals and protects the mechanism mounted upon the face of the same. To limit the movement of the actuating plate a pair of stops are provided which may COIIYODlOHllY consist of lugs 67 cast upon the porcelain base and extending outward from the face the right, as seen in Fig. *1, the switch blade thereot'. A stop 68 is cast upon the pornolam base to prevent the switch blade UlOVlllQ' I a formed in the edge of the cover or cap 66 fiiofarfwheh the switch opens, while movemerit in the opposite direction is limited by 1e edge of the blade engaging the insulating'biock'be. i1

' g t will'be seen that when the actuating 'piece' Mia moved to such a position as to 'ringthe operating plate 63 and switch blsdelihe'mber' into almement with each 'hthertliefeet by the latter are forced 1g tirwatdeach other, as alread described in nnectibn'with the pendant orm of switch.

as the actuating plate passes slightly beyond this point the tendency of L; th'elfe'et to separate causes the switch blade '1] to move, suddenly u on the pivot 54' in the s'a'me direction as t at in which the finger "piece isbeing'mctved, the feet sliding down f'the; inclined planes formed by the inner' I of the arin Gland spreading apart. 6 provide a good'engaging surface having considerable len hat the edges where.

the circuit; breaks an .where the tendency to sparking would occur I provide upon each side of the switch blade member an ear 69, ears being bent forward and extending slightly beyond the front surface of 5-" the switch blade member. These ears are slightl greater in width from front to back than t e distance-which normally exists be- 80 tween the stationary contact members 51 and '53, so that when they are thrust in between the latter the same'separate lightly j and bear with elastic pressure'upon the ears and make good electrical connection there- 36 with. In Figs..11- and 12 I have shown this form f switch mechanism applied to a wall switch having a pair of .buttons or push 'rods'extending' therefrom, one of which is black and the other white. By pressing the White button upward the switch is made to close. and the black button descends, while pressing the black button upward causes the switch to open and the white button to g 46- descend. The switch'contacts 47 and 48 are similar in construction and arrangement to those already described inconnection with Figs. 9 and 10. The switch blade is also similar .to-that shown in Fig. 10, but the ac- 50 =tuating plate is modified to adapt it to the of push rods instead of the lever used iii--,Fig..10, The'switch actuating plate in this instance comprises a flat' bar 70 having. its ends apertured for the passage of pins or the like 71 by means of which a flat strip 72 is hinged to each end of the bar 70.. The "bar 70 is provided with a pair of tongues which extend laterally'froin .the 1 wer} edge thereof and are bent .over upward to form I armsw73 corresponding in function to the arms 61 and 62 of the form illustrated in Fig. 10 and the arms-33 of the pendant switch form shown in Fig. 4. The plate is 'pivoted upon a pin 74"upon which is also pivotedthe switch blade member. 7

Each of the .push buttons: comprises a shortrod formed of insulating material extending downward through notches formed in the lower edge of the cover 75. The right hand rod 76 may be of poreclain or other white or 70 light colored material, while the left hand rod 77 may be of black hard rubber. These buttons are secured by means of rivets or the like to the plates (2.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure; by Letters Patent, is:

1. In electric switch mechanism, the combination of a switch blade, a pair of resilient members carried thereby and tending to 30 move away from each other, an actuating member pivoted between said resilient members and on an axis common to the axis of the switch blade, a pair of arms carried by said actuating member and disposed to em- 35 brace said resilient members between them, said arms having engaging surfaces for making sliding engagement with said resilient members, said engaging surfaces extending parallel with each other, and meansgo for moving said actuating member about its pivot.

2. The combination of a switch blade portion and an actuating portion pivoted on a common axis, one of said portions having a pair of resilient portions, the other of said members having a pair of arms arranged to embrace said resilient members, said arms having surfaces engaging said resilient members and extendingparallel with each other, the distance between said engaging surfaces being less than the normal distance between said resilient members, whereby the tendency'of said resilient members to move away from each other causes the switch blade portion to move to an angular position with relation to said actuating portion when the latter has been-moved upon its pivot past a given position with relation to said switch blade portion.

3. In electric switch mechanism, the combinationof a switch blade member, an actuating member, resilient arms on one of said members, and means on the other of said members arranged for sliding engagement with said arfns, said arms and said engaging members cotiperating to move said switch blade member into angular relation with said actuating member when said actuating member has been moved beyond a predetermined position with relation to said switch blade'member.

4. In electric switch mechanism, a switch blade member consisting of'a pivoted strip of metal having the end thereof remote from the pivot bifurcated to form a pair of springfing'em and bent'upon itself so. that said spring fingers extend toward the pivot,

and a pivoted actuating member for said switch blade, said actuating member being erections in Letters Patent N0. 1 ,G31J68.

* provided with means for distorting said spring fingers when it is rocked about its piYQt, for the pin'poses set forth. 7 V i V.

53111 electric switch mechanism, a switelr 5 blade comprising a strip of metal having an 19 bracing the parts of said bifurcated end of requiring correction as follows: Page tBEAL] v improvement in Switch Meehariism,

In vWitness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

ERNST e, K. NDERsQNQ Witnesses:

j CHARLES G. Gore,

M. LANGE.

is .hereby certified tliat in Letters Petent Ne. granted July 9, 1912, upon the implication of Ernst G. K. .Arnd-erson ef fihieego; Illiueis, feipeeerrors appear 'ehe printed speeifieetie 3, line 96; fore the we're adrtiens members and same p agiafline 97 for the word 5 members? reed peeeiem; melee: he eroper eorreetiqhs have been mede in the 5145s and ree erfisefifiisiefieeen hereby made iii the said Letters Peteniz. I

-' Signed ar d seeled we Zflbfley of August, A. De, rem.

erections in Letters Patent N0. 1 ,G31J68.

* provided with means for distorting said spring fingers when it is rocked about its piYQt, for the pin'poses set forth. 7 V i V.

53111 electric switch mechanism, a switelr 5 blade comprising a strip of metal having an 19 bracing the parts of said bifurcated end of requiring correction as follows: Page tBEAL] v improvement in Switch Meehariism,

In vWitness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

ERNST e, K. NDERsQNQ Witnesses:

j CHARLES G. Gore,

M. LANGE.

is .hereby certified tliat in Letters Petent Ne. granted July 9, 1912, upon the implication of Ernst G. K. .Arnd-erson ef fihieego; Illiueis, feipeeerrors appear 'ehe printed speeifieetie 3, line 96; fore the we're adrtiens members and same p agiafline 97 for the word 5 members? reed peeeiem; melee: he eroper eorreetiqhs have been mede in the 5145s and ree erfisefifiisiefieeen hereby made iii the said Letters Peteniz. I

-' Signed ar d seeled we Zflbfley of August, A. De, rem. 

